Temporary Jobs: On the rise?!

The word on the street is that temporary jobs are on the rise! I read recently that retailers are investing in what are being called "pop-up shops" which would obviously need temporary workers. In fact, the bakery I work for has pop-up shops, or what we call "holiday stores", and hires lots of temporary workers through a temporary agency. I've also heard that pop-up shops are not just a holiday occurrence. So, keep your eyes peeled!

You should know that temporary jobs have many advantages for the company and the temporary employee:

1) Job candidates are screened through the temporary agency, not by the company. This costs the company money but eliminates the painstaking process of interviewing and selecting candidates for the company.

2) The temporary agency provides training for temporary employees which would normally be time drain for the company.

3) Even though you, temporary worker, may work several temporary jobs before finding a permanent position, the temporary agency has a record of your work. This may provide the backbone you need to get that permanent position.

4) Temporary work is like participating in an experiment to determine if you're a good fit for the company. Sometimes temporary workers are hired permanently!

Startling Statistics: Young people, the military, and jobs

If you're thinking about joining the military instead of working a so-called regular job, then just make sure you don't fit into this category:

According to TIME magazine, "75% of Americans ages 17 to 24 [who] can't enlist in the military mostly because they lack a high school diploma, have a criminal record or are physically unfit." (Original source: Mission Readiness)

Check out the Appendix starting on Page 6 from the report by Mission Readiness. Did you see the number of 10-17 year olds who were obese in 2007?! Mississippi ranks #1 with 44% of 10-17 year olds obese in 2007. And you know what else? A whopping 45% of high school students fail to graduate on time in Washington, D.C. Whoa.

So, would you join the military if you were promised funds for college? The Army's website indicates that there are many options depending on the type and length of service.

Here's my next question: What percentage of young people actually go to college (using those promised funds) after completing their service? I mean, wouldn't their years of service prepare them for the job market more so than going to college?

Scientist in The Bakery

I will stand behind my years of retail experience. I work in a bakery now and actually enjoy my job even though it is totally unrelated to my academic background. (Yes, I could eat pastries all day long for free if I chose to do so but that is not why I enjoy my job.) First of all, it is nice to do manual labor sometimes---especially if you've been in school for awhile. Take a break from school and work with "the public" in the "real-world." You'll certainly get some practical work experience. Penelope Trunk has some words to say about retail jobs in her post called, "The new post-college prestige job is retail." You should check it out.

Temporary Jobs and Staffing Agencies

One of my co-workers used a temp agency and was eventually hired permanently. The American Staffing Association provides an easy way to search for temporary agencies by state, zipcode, type of position, and/or occupational category. I recommend searching by state or zipcode FIRST before refining by occupation. You may be qualified to do more than you think. I have never used a temp agency before but if you have used one and would like to provide some insight for the rest of us please leave a comment!

Unemployed in Georgia

I found this short article in Parade today titled, "Should Unemployed People Work for Free?" The title is a bit misleading but the article is interesting. In Georgia, many unemployed people are working for free for a limited time. In my opinion, it sounds like an unpaid internship or a volunteer stint. Basically, you have an opportunity to try out a new job (but you'll have to work for free for six weeks) and the potential to become employed after that time period. In addition, many of these people still receive unemployment benefits. See what you think...

What are you doing right now?

One of the most aggravating things about being unemployed is answering the question, "So what are you doing now that you have finished school?" Instead of saying, "I am unemployed", here are some statements with a positive spin:

+ "I am currently searching for a job in my field __________, and volunteering at __________."

+ "My training is in __________ and while I'm searching for a job I have become involved in __________."

+ "I have decided that in order to gain more experience in my field __________, I am taking a course in __________."

The bottom line is: DO NOT make yourself look like a bum unless you are a bum, in which case, get off your butt and do something.